Anyone use skimmers with timers ?

[hanifrez]

I'm planning to fix a special timer whereby the skimmer in my office tank will turn itself on every Monday and off by Fridays (to coincide with working hours). Reason I'm doing this is coz I noticed a faster water evaporation level if I left the skimmer on 24/7.

Anyone doing this sort of thing too ?

[eiki]

IMO not a good idea. Can DIY a water top up system using a big container to handle evaporation.

[ReDDeviLs]

can get tubby by someone at src.com
if you off the skimmer...the fish might die.. as the bioload will not be remove..

[hanifrez]

if you off the skimmer...the fish might die.. as the bioload will not be remove..

Even if it's off for a couple of days ? What about the fact that I have a sump with bioballs etc ??

[devilfire]

Even if it's off for a couple of days ? What about the fact that I have a sump with bioballs etc ??

i think it depends on ur kind of setup.
IMO, if u hav the right setup, i dun think ur fishes will die in a couple of days w/o skimmer. but yet they might die if ur system is not proper.

[BarraCuda™]

I'm planning to fix a special timer whereby the skimmer in my office tank will turn itself on every Monday and off by Fridays (to coincide with working hours). Reason I'm doing this is coz I noticed a faster water evaporation level if I left the skimmer on 24/7.

Anyone doing this sort of thing too ?

Its not recommended because skimmers will take some time to break-in before it can start skimming, this normally will take a day or 2. If you put the skimmer on timer, the skimmer will have 2-3days of break in time every week in addition to the weekend off.

That would mean that the skimmer will only be working for 2-3 days per week only.

[spsman]

Bro,
pls dun spoil your pump. Switching on and off is not an alternative, besides it does not save electricity. Skimmers are equipments that are run 24/7. like your chiller.
b.rgds

[slcw]

well some ppl do not even use protein skimmers in there setup, yet it works.
if u r worried would still like a ps, use those air-pump types instead of venturi.

actually, 1 author mentioned it is good to "off" the ps once a while when cleaning the tank. this is to allow the needle head not t be clog up. any way u do need to wash the sponge or rinse the cup